The Movie That Almost Destroyed Jennifer Lawrence’s Career – Adele Saw It Coming

Jennifer Lawrence’s career trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. From her breakout role in Winter’s Bone to starring in the Hunger Games franchise and winning an Academy Award for Silver Linings Playbook, Lawrence seemed to have it all—youth, talent, and the world at her feet. However, even the brightest stars sometimes find themselves on the wrong path, and for Lawrence, that misstep came in the form of Passengers (2016), a sci-fi romance that bombed both at the box office and with critics.

Lawrence, who was on top of the world in the early 2010s, candidly reflected on the aftermath of her career highs. The whirlwind of success from Hunger Games and her Oscar win left her feeling out of control, as she described in a 2022 interview at the BFI London Film Festival: “I lost a sense of control between Hunger Games coming out and winning the Oscar… I felt like every decision was a big group decision.” It was during this time of uncertainty that Lawrence found herself considering roles that, in hindsight, weren’t the best choices for her.

One role in particular stands out as a major turning point: Passengers, where Lawrence starred opposite Chris Pratt as two passengers aboard a spaceship headed to a distant colony. The film was met with a lukewarm reception, failing to make an impact both critically and commercially. The sci-fi romance was widely criticized, and it became a symbol of Lawrence’s career downturn at that time.

But before Lawrence committed to the film, she had received some sage advice from a friend who, as it turns out, was spot on. British singer Adele, a close confidante of Lawrence’s, warned her not to take on the role. “Adele told me not to do it!” Lawrence admitted in her interview with The New York Times. “She was like, ‘I feel like space movies are the new vampire movies.’ I should have listened to her.” Lawrence’s decision to ignore the advice proved to be a significant misstep in a period where her career seemed to be veering off course.

In 2018, disheartened by the disappointing run of films following Passengers, Lawrence made a bold move to reclaim her career. She left her longtime agency, CAA, and began taking steps to reconnect with her creative roots. “I felt like more of a celebrity than an actor,” she explained. “I had let myself be hijacked.” In her quest to take back control, Lawrence realized that scripts she was passionate about were not even reaching her, and some of her favorite filmmakers had not been able to send projects her way. This realization prompted her to re-evaluate her career and find a way to rediscover her creativity.

Lawrence’s comeback began with the founding of her production company, Excellent Cadaver, which allowed her to take charge of her professional path once again. The company’s debut production, Causeway, a drama directed by Lila Neugebauer, marked a return to her indie film roots—a space where Lawrence had always felt comfortable and fulfilled. With Causeway debuting in 2022, Lawrence’s career is slowly but surely finding its footing again, with a focus on creative control and more thoughtful project choices.

While Passengers might stand as a low point in Lawrence’s career, it also served as a turning point that led her to reevaluate her direction. With her production company now established and a fresh perspective on her career, Jennifer Lawrence is poised for a strong comeback in the years to come, armed with the lessons learned from both her successes and her mistakes.